My Breathing is Worse After Rhinoplasty

When a rhinoplasty, more colloquially known as a “nose job”, is performed by a surgeon of great skill and experience, the result leaves the patient with a harmony of facial features and a huge surge in self-confidence. In the hands of less-skilled plastic surgeons, however, issues may persist after surgery that lead the patient to consider a second, revision surgery. Dr. Thomas Loeb of Manhattan has had a great deal of success in performing secondary rhinoplasties to revise and improve the work of other surgeons. If you are unsatisfied with the aesthetics of your nose job, or are experiencing long-term side effects such as difficulty breathing or nerve damage, we invite you to contact Dr. Loeb’s office to schedule a one-on-one consultation.

Side Effects of Cosmetic Rhinoplasty

In a cosmetic rhinoplasty, the nose’s inner diameter is made smaller. This requires a very specific procedure, and the surgeon should know how to reduce the diameter while making more space by either increasing the size of the septum or reducing the turbinates. Failing to address these issues can lead to a valve collapse that can result in breathing difficulties.

If you experience a sensation similar to a sinus congestion, wait for a few weeks to see if the problem persists. The issue could simply be due to a swollen nose, which is a natural side effect and dissipates within a week or two.

Side Effects of Functional Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty may also be functional and done to repair internal cartilage valves. The valves may be deformed from birth or damaged from a prior injury or surgery. In any case, compromised valves may cause breathing problems. Other causes of airway obstructions may include the presence of nasal polyps that develop in the nasal lining passage.

In some cases, the surgeon may be able to make corrections without causing changes to the outer portion of the nose.

Side effects after surgery may include swelling, tenderness, and reddened skin tone around the nose. The procedure itself is painless, though some patients may experience minor discomfort.

Rhinoplasty Revision Surgery

Patients may seek a revision or secondary rhinoplasty procedure to correct side effects or dissatisfactory results with a prior procedure. The primary cause for a revision rhinoplasty is due to functional issues after the first operation, including the aforementioned side effects for both cosmetic and functional rhinoplasty. This is especially the case with patients who report difficulty breathing within weeks of the initial surgery.

Patients may also undergo a second operation due to under- or over-correction by the surgeon. An under-correction leaves excess tissue behind, which may appear as a protruding hump outside the nose. In an overcorrection, the tip of the nose protrudes a bit too high and may not appear natural.

Side Effects from the Revision Nose Surgery

It’s possible patients may experience side effects similar to the original operation. This includes swelling, bruising, discomfort, and mild bleeding. Patients are advised to refrain from heavy physical activity for three weeks following surgery.

In very rare instances, a third revision may be required. However, this possibility can be avoided by entrusting the operation to an experienced surgeon. In fact, a study from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that 97% of patients were satisfied with their revision nose job results.

Revision Rhinoplasty with Dr. Loeb

A large number of the rhinoplasty surgeries performed by Dr. Loeb are secondary procedures for patients who had their first operation elsewhere and experienced complications. For an initial or secondary rhinoplasty consultation, contact Dr. Loeb’s New York City office.